Published: November 06, 2009 09:07 am      

KRUEGER: Health care reform: An analysis

I’m writing to respond to a recent article by Erica Werner of The Associated Press. I’ll use the statement of facts in her report as a basis here — facts I’ve seen reported in many other media venues.

First, not mentioned is how in the world are we going to be able to provide health care of one-sixth of the population — 50 million — when even now we have a shortage of health care facilities and providers?

Also not covered, was does this mean? Like foreign countries, the services provided would be restricted except for those with private insurance? And does this mean the most inefficient business model (the government) will be in charge of determining services and costs with every Tom, Dick and Harry politician constantly inserting useless costly items (changes) for strictly personal recognition (votes) and special interest gains?

OK, to the report.

Barack Obama has said there would be tremendous savings — in the billions — on many occasions while at the same time saying he needs $694 billion up front. In his radio address June 6, he said it won’t add to the federal debt. (Since the federal debt is so high now, no one can calculate it — how would we know? Heh heh.) Anyhow, in the next sentence it says Congress is trying to figure out how to pay for the overhauls estimated at $1.2 to $1.5 trillion. That’s “T” as in trillion. Can I now start calling him a snake oil salesman, or worse, a liar?

I’m sick of PC stuff.

It goes on to say Obama has suggested cuts in Medicaid and Medicare. The first thing that tells us is any new program will be on top of those programs (overseen by the government). It also presents the question, “Does this mean limiting further coverage offered by these programs and if so, will they be made up and what’s the P/L on the composite coverage?)

The report talks about requiring employers to provide healthcare or pay a penalty. Trust me folks, as a businessman this will result in even more jobs going oversees, higher prices and less employment.

Dummies: “But John, it won’t cost me more in taxes.”

John: “Dummies, universal healthcare, as it’s being proposed right now, will lessen your chances of getting a job, let alone a good job (unless it’s with the government); raises all sorts of prices due to hidden taxes, etc., to the point you won’t have enough gas to go to the grocery store, let alone a healthcare provider — unless you decide to take up residence with the healthcare provider and hope there is a soup kitchen outside.”

Obama also suggested higher taxes on the rich to help pay for it. Let’s see now. The higher taxes on the rich are going to pay for this stimulus. Pay for the bailouts. Pay for the extra 230,000 new government employees for the new programs and building up of others. Anyhow, listen to this carefully, the idea of taxing the rich has been shut down by Congress. I repeat, taxing the rich has been shut down by Congress. The hugely Democratic Congress. Now, the next time you hear a Democratic Congressman, or any Congressmen, say they are going to tax the rich — it’s just a bunch of Pelosi (BS).

Folks, we do indeed need to do something, but I fear Obama’s popularity perpetrated by the MSM will cause Congress, for their own self-interest as well, to cobble together a piece of infinitely costly crap with little forethought, just as they’ve done over the last year.

Sick. Buyer beware.

— John Krueger is a former Clarksville town councilman and can be reached at MeredithSpecial@aol.com